The Public Relations professionals say that image is everything. If this is true Poland is on the right way to lure foreign investors because last few months have been fruitful in flattering publications about polish economy. At the end of January 2010, opinionated and well know in business world magazine The Economist published an article about Poland. The Economist pointed out that it is the last moment for the world to break up with stereotype thinking about Poland as “big, poor country with shambolic government, dreadful roads and eccentric habits.(…). Poland has never been more secure, richer or better-run” –wrote The Economist. The last year statistics show interchangeably that Poland in 2009 was the only country in the European Union that registered economic growth at 1.2%. In addition GDP made a record jump from 50% to 56% of the EU average. The Economist pointed out that Poland owes much to luck that it escaped of world recession that proved so disastrous in such countries as Latvia and Hungary. Whatever to say Poland is without doubts the six economy of Europe and that’s how the foreign investors should see it.

In 1996 you served as an official delegate with the Delegation of Poland at the Group of Seven (G-7), the Conference of the Fourth West-East Ministers of Economy, Industry and Trade. Did you ever imagine that Poland would be such a rapid growing industrial economy in the European Union? The country looked those days completely different.

 This was an interesting time in Polish economic history as the purpose of the conference was to bring together government ministers and business leaders from the industrialized Western and reforming Eastern countries of Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and the NIS in a joint effort to promote improved conditions for private sector development in the Eastern countries and the expansion of East-West investment and trade. While participating in meetings and negotiations, I observed a cautious but a willing ability to proceed with pre-initial steps to build a transnational framework through the banking/financial sector to support investment and trade. The questions buzzed throughout the conference.  Is this possible?   Today, I marvel at the results of business and economic progress of my Mother Country because of the values, faith, and commitments of the Polish citizens to their families and country.  The world is observing the results of these efforts, as the International Monetary Fund announced on March 15, 2010 “Poland is the only European Union economy to have escaped a recession in 2009.”  Bravo, Poland!

IMMA Ltd has a significant history of providing professional management services for governments and private sector clients in the US and Europe for over 20 years. There were many business connections with Poland as the result of this extensive work but now Poland seems to be in the hot spotlight of your attention and interest.  

Poland has earned its high ranking  economic position among the top of all European Union countries in 2009 as the result of strong efforts of Polish individual’s commitment to build livelihoods for their families, business efforts to learn how to build effective and profitable firms, and national policy to stimulate national, regional and local economic development. As I review the statistics of the evolving population profiles and growing economic strength of Poland’s GNP, the probability of Poland continuing stay strong or even stronger at least for next four quarters to six quarters is very probable. The trend looks very strong to encourage an investment in Poland.  From our perspective, based here in San Francisco, Silicon Valley it is a breeding element of serious interest in investment in Poland and also a property and land for business operations.

The polish government has facilitated support to increase number of special economic zones to develop regional development which is stimulating international firms to invest in real state or in a conglomeration to open the operations in original specials economic zones in Poland. When the first economic zones were being considered as a vehicle for investment to stimulate business investment there were many thoughts that they could fail and be canceled but over 15 years period.  However, the government’s  economic zones actually  have proven to be effective which has stimulated  American firms to open operations in the economic zones especially firms from Silicon Valley, such as Intel, Hewlett Packard and many others.  These international business agreements stimulate the growth of the real estate sector with the growth of land development, office procurement, job development, support services such as delivery services, employee training, food services, etc.  Wherever there is job development comes the need to service employees which also includes, for example, housing, utilities, and health care services. Additionally,  I know that some large firm from Silicon Valley who have opened operations to Poland are also working with Polish firms to expand  outsourcing services to new markets in western European countries as well as growing markets of Eastern Europe. 

What will be your strategic investment in Poland? What sector you see the most promising to invest?

From my perspective, I anticipate further growth in collaboration within technology and biotech research, distribution channels, and financial services and investment.

Thank you for the interview.

Source:  Properyt Journal  4-5/2010